Traditional Chinese Medicine is Safe and Effective

Whether you are receiving acupuncture treatments for a facial enhancement, GI disorders, a mental disorder—such as depression or anxiety—or a physical condition, the therapy procedures and needling will be the same. California law requires cleanliness, a sterile environment, and the use of sterile equipment.

All acupuncturists have what is called a “clean field” in their treatment rooms. This is a small area in the treatment room that has the following sterile items:

Cotton balls

Rubbing Alcohol

Individually packaged needles

A disposable needle container for dirty needles called a “SHARPS” container

Thematter the condition acupuncturist will then begin their diagnostic procedures by feeling your pulse and examining your tongue. Once he or she has determined your internal problem, the acupuncturist will be able to determine which points along the body to use. Each targeted point along the body will be swabbed with an alcohol soaked cotton ball. The needles will then be inserted into each point and when all the needles have been placed, the acupuncturist will leave you to relax with some quiet music and low lights for about 20-30 minutes. Feel free to doze off, meditate, or simply lie there enjoying the time your body is using to self-heal!

The acupuncturist will check on you during your treatment to monitor how your pulse is changing as the blood flow and Qi throughout your body balances out. When your pulse is flowing smoothly and with ease, the needles will be removed and your session will be complete.

Because acupuncture works on very subtle levels, it is necessary to observe your body for 24 to 48 hours following treatment to see if you have any changes in your condition. It is ALWAYS best and certainly recommended to drink plenty of water following a treatment in order to flush out any toxins that get stirred up during your session. If your pain or condition worsens, do not worry! This is usually a correction in your body’s balance and surprisingly a very GOOD sign! The pain will pass in a day or two.

Remember to report ALL changes in your condition to your practitioner when you return for your next visit. This will help the practitioner to better determine your plan of care, allow them to consider if changes are necessary and let them know the path your body is moving along to heal itself. Your input and compliance is a critical component to your care, so please always inform your acupuncturist of your responses and concerns to acupuncture treatments and herbal remedies.

Why are you looking at my tongue?

5,000 years ago, there were no x-ray machines, MRIs, CT scans, or any technology for diagnostic procedures! The patient’s body was the only medical tool medical doctors had to determine what was wrong. These doctors would study the tongue and check on the pulse as the main way of evaluating the issues. In today’s world, we may think it is odd to determine a condition through examination of the tongue, but the tongue is actually the map to the rest of the body.

Each section of the tongue represents a different organ. The shape, color, size, and movement of your tongue can tell a lot about what is going on inside your body. The veins underneath your tongue will reveal if your blood pressure is low, high, or in optimal range. The color of the body of your tongue can reveal whether or not a person is anemic. With so many important factors presented in the tongue, this organ has become a very reliable tool in acupuncture diagnostics.

What are you feeling for in my pulse?

The pulse’s quality, speed and depth allow the doctor to know what your organs, blood and body fluids are all doing inside the amazing anatomy of your body. Acupuncturists can often tell if a woman is on her cycle, if a person has had an organ removed, or what type of foods a person predominately eats simply by just feeling the pulse.

The quality of the pulse may be strong and fast due to patient experiencing some sort of pain in their body. The pulse may then slow down and become soft after acupuncture treatment. The pulse will show a certain quality with medications present, excess caffeine, and certain recreational drugs. Be truthful with your acupuncturist when they ask you questions, your tongue and pulse will reveal it all!

What does acupuncture feel like?

We are often asked this question in our clinic and it is no surprise why. The thought of acupuncture can be intimidating and scary. Some people tense up at just the thought of needles. Fortunately, however, acupuncture has the opposite effect. In fact, the release of tension and stress are just two of acupuncture’s many benefits. While each individual’s experience is different, the majority of people relate acupuncture to a similar feeling of peace and calm experienced during meditation. It is very rare during treatment that people even feel a needle. Instead, people say they feel a heaviness in a limb, slight pressure where the needle is inserted, or a deep radiating sensation throughout their body. For the few people who feel a prick or a feeling of pressure, the good news is that this uncomfortable feeling is gone almost as quickly as it comes about. The body’s ability to feel the needle simply means that energy is blocked in the part of the body the needle is targeting. Acupuncture works to unblock the energy and the pinch or pressure subsides as the energy begins to flow freely. Depending on the body’s level of response to acupuncture, many people say that the feeling of calmness and peace remains even after the needles have been removed.

COST: Insurance coverage varies. I am a provider for most major medical insurance companies, however, it is important to consult your medical insurance carrier and ask about your specific healthcare plan. You may also call my billing service PROVIDER BILLING. They will be happy to answer your questions and verify your benefits and coverage. Please call my office at (714) 962-5031 for their number.

TIME: The number of treatments necessary varies. Each patient’s therapy is unique and is dependent on the condition being treated, what the body’s constitution is like, dietary habits, and the body’s response to the acupuncture treatments. I work to give as accurate of a timetable as possible so that you know the kind of care plan you will be having.

MAINTENANCE: Once you have gone through your cycle of acupuncture treatments, regular maintenance will keep you on the road to better health. Getting a “TUNE-UP” about once every 4-6 weeks is recommended for optimal health!